Moods and Moons...

Did you know we are affected by the changes in the moon?

 Did you ever notice that around the time of a full moon you may feel a little more edgy, anxious or stressed?  Maybe you feel out of sorts or "off".

You are not alone.  Changes in the atmosphere and weather also create changes in our bodies and our moods can be affected.

It's been said that hosting a party or event leading up to a full moon may be a good time.  People can tend to be more receptive to having fun!

Changes in the weather can trigger positive or negative thoughts or memories.  You are not just imagining things if you have more energy at certain

 times of the year or on specific days.

We only get so many pockets of energy a day.  

Make sure you don't use all of you energy worrying, being upset, angry or frustrated.

It is said that we may be more energetic during the time of year in which we were born.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall.

Did you ever notice that you seem to be more alive and motivated during a certain season.

Listen to what your body is telling you.

If you are tired rest.  If you are edgy or cranky find something that you can do to de-stress.

Go on a walk, go for a swim, be in nature.

Do whatever makes you happy.

Did you know that Massage, Reiki and Reflexology can help you to restore energy.

They can help you to relax and feel balanced both physically and mentally.

Treating yourself to any of these services can help you emotionally too.  They can help you to feel more grounded and nurtured.

The next time you feel like "it must be a full moon"

remember to listen to what your body is telling you.  Energy shifts happen all day everyday.  Just coming in contact with someone who is displaying some sort of negative energy can drag you down.

Aromatherapy is very helpful for lifting your mood.  Oils like Rosemary, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Orange, Peppermint and Eucalyptus can elevate your mood.

If you are feeling like you need a calming effect try

Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Marjoram or Cedarwood.

Light a candle, dim the lights, put on your favorite music to achieve the mood you would like to be experiencing.  Surround yourself with the things and or people you love.  Whether you need your space and some quiet time or you need to be around people do whatever it is that makes you feel best.

Committed to enriching your body, mind & spirit! 

Yoga for the body, mind & spirit...

September is National Yoga Month

Yoga is recognized for it's profound health benefits

Yoga encourages overall health and wellness

Yoga is a mind body practice that incorporates stretching, breathing and relaxation

Yoga helps create awareness and harmony in the body, mind and spirit

It creates inner peace and tranquility

It can help you to manage stress and develop 

coping skills

It improves respiration while increasing 

energy and vitality

It helps lower blood pressure and heart rate

It also helps you to focus on your breathing

Yoga can help relieve muscle tension and pain

It increases flexibility and strength

Yoga also helps to improve posture

It can help to reduce fatigue, anxiety and worry

It can also help you to concentrate better

and sleep more soundly

Yoga helps to improve quality of life

Yoga allows you to reconnect with yourself

It helps you to integrate sensory awareness into every day life

Yoga allows you to be mindful of being in the moment

Do yourself a favor and consider Yoga

Your body, mind and spirit will be glad you did!

Be sure to contact us about our Yoga Classes

Massage and more for Parkinson's...

The Benefits of Massage and other services for Parkinson's

 

Massage Therapy has many benefits for the person suffering from Parkinson's.  A simple massage can significantly improve quality of life.  Massage has been helpful for insomnia, it aids in relaxing the body for better sleep.  It can also help improve your ability to perform normal day to day activities.  It can help alleviate or lesson some of the other symptoms experienced such as: cramps, low energy levels, weakness in the limbs, hypertension, memory loss, headaches, nausea, anxiety, grief, depression, nightmares and stomach digestion problems.  

Parkinson's Disease destroys dopamine producing cells, a neurotransmitter chemical that helps convey signals that control movement.  Research has shown that massage naturally increases dopamine levels.  It also increases endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers.  It can help to balance serotonin, a mood altering hormone as well.  

Massage has been able to alleviate to some degree joint pain and muscle stiffness and it can significantly reduce stress by bringing fresh oxygen and other nutrients to the affected tissues.  Swedish Massage emphasizes soothing strokes, stimulating immune function, increasing blood/lymph flow and circulation.  It also helps maintain connective tissue mobility.  Deep Tissue Massage can greatly benefit areas of muscle tension, while stimulating localized healing.  Neuromuscular Therapy can reach connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and nerves while releasing knots of tension called trigger points. 
Trigger Point Therapy uses deep pressure to release tiny knots that develop in muscle fiber, fascia and ligaments.  Myofascial Release is a gentle blend of stretching and massage that works the fascia, the thin connective tissue that covers every muscle and organ of the body. 
Hot Stone Massage has also been effective in increasing blood flow and circulation via heat, creating longer lasting effects in many cases.  It is noted that when hot stones are used regularly with Parkinson's suffers, the client is in a more relaxed state right from the beginning of the massage because of the heat effect.  Reflexology is a foot massage focused on areas of the feet that correspond to certain organs in the body helping to increase circulation and flush toxins.  It also stimulates nerve endings and helps to balance your body's energy.  There are over 4,000 pores in our feet, and these pores are one of the main sources of eliminating toxins in our body.  Aromatherapy Oils have been used for hundreds of years, and have been very effective when incorporated into a massage to produce the desired effect such as:  having antispasmatic, calming, uplifting, detoxifying or digestive results.  These oils can also be used at home in a diffuser, candle or in a bath.  Certain oils or combinations of oils can be used depending on the effect you want to achieve. 
All of our massage therapy sessions incorporate
 dimmed lighting and relaxing music as part of the treatment.  Music calms and relaxes the body.  Listening to relaxing  music at home can also be very beneficial.
Massage Therapy in general increase flexibility and range of motion, it lowers heart rate and blood pressure while increasing  lymph flow assisting your body in eliminating wastes and toxins.  It soothes nerve endings, and creates the ability to recognize tension. pain and tightness in ones own body.  The skin is the largest organ in the body.  In one square inch of skin cells there are 500 sweat glands, more than 1,000 nerve endings, yards of tiny blood cells, nearly 100 sebaceous/oil glands, 150 sensors for pressure, 75 sensors for heat and 10 sensors for cold, not to mention the millions of other cells.
Other services that are helpful include:
Warm Wax Paraffin Treatment This service can be done on your hands and or feet.  These treatments can be incorporated into your massage or done as a stand alone treatment.  Paraffin increases blood flow to the affected area, decreases nerve sensation thus relieving pain.  It helps relieve muscle spasms and relaxes nerve endings and muscles.  It delivers consistent heat to painful joints and limbs.  The warm wax helps insolate the extremity holding in the heat effects after being applied to the body.  It also exfoliates and softens skin, helping to retain moisture as it holds in the heat.
Body Scrubs can also be an effective treatment.  These salt scrubs gently exfoliate dead skin cells removing the top layer of skin to prepare the body to eliminate toxins through the pores, while hydrating the skin.  This treatment also helps with sluggish circulation, and helps to increase endurance and energy while stimulating nerve endings.
Reiki is a form of energy healing that can help to calm the mind and relieve stress while harmonizing and balancing your emotional state.  It helps to nourish and heal damaged tissue while encouraging the body's natural healing processes.  It promotes deep relaxation, releases energy blockages and helps to detoxify.  It may also be helpful in combating negativity and depression.
Consider scheduling some of these services for yourself, or someone suffering from Parkinson's.  Remember, caregivers also need to take care of themselves.  It is important that they take time to get recharged and refueled naturally!


Summer Solstice Staycation!

Happy Summer Solstice.  Heart & Soul is committed to enriching the body, mind & spirit.  We encourage our clients to try services and retail items that promote balance and tranquility.  Reflexology helps to increase energy flow to all of the organs in the body.  Reiki promotes healing through the use of Universal Life Force Energy.  Hot Stone Massage brings balance to the body using deep penetrating heat from warmed mineral stones.  Aromatherapy can be added to most of our services.  We offer relaxing, uplifting, and muscle ache blends.  The oils are also available for purchase for home use.  We have an all natural room clearing spray made with Lavender, Sage, Orange, Vetiver and Patchouli.  It can be sprayed in the home, office, car or on your person.  We also offer Yoga classes.  A great way for creating a harmonious mind body spirit connection.  We hope that you will consider scheduling yourself or someone else a relaxing treatment soon.  The more natural things you can incorporate into your lifestyle the better.  Our bodies are bombarded daily with toxins, pollution and artificial items.  We are exposed to chemicals, fumes, pesticides and many other unnatural products every day.  In order for our bodies to handle stress and function better we need to take care of them.  Do what you can to make changes to create a more holistic environment for yourself.  Consider adding a small water fountain or wind chimes inside or outside of your home or office.  Both create sound and movement which equals energy flow.  We have several wind chimes and fountains throughout our office space.  We also have Himalayan salt lamps everywhere in our office and have relaxing music playing in all of our treatment rooms and common areas.  This summer take a Staycation, come to Heart & Soul and do something special for yourself, you'll be glad you did!          

Yoga for the body, mind & spirit...

Heart & Soul is offering YOGA

We currently have classes on Monday at 3pm

Yoga is a great way to relax and de-stress.

Our classes can be customized for beginners or advanced.

Yoga is a mind, body practice incorporating stretching,

breathing and relaxation.

It is very helpful for managing stress and anxiety while improving balance and flexibility.

Classes are $10 pay as you go.

Space is limited so you must pre-register.

You do need to bring a yoga mat.  We have blankets, straps and blocks available for use during class.

We sell the straps for $5 We also sell Lavender eye pillows for $5

We are hoping to add more classes in the future.

*If you would like to try a free class, we offer that for first time yoga participants.

Call today and reserve your spot for an upcoming class.

Relax, Revive & Rejuvenate